65 years and over: 4% (male 15,274/female 13,766) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 30.4 years
male: 33.5 years
female: 27.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.243% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Birth rate:
16.81 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
Death rate:
4.37 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Urbanization:
urban population: 89% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.33 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female
total population: 1.24 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 14.76 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 126 male: 17.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.4 years country comparison to the world: 84 male: 72.87 years
female: 78.01 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.47 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Nationality:
noun: Bahraini(s)
adjective: Bahraini
Ethnic groups:
Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)
Religions:
Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
Languages:
Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 86.5%
male: 88.6%
female: 83.6% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 149
Government ::Bahrain
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain
conventional short form: Bahrain
local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn
local short form: Al Bahrayn
former: Dilmun
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Manama
geographic coordinates: 26 14 N, 50 34 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat
note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor
Independence:
15 August 1971 (from the UK)
National holiday:
National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection
Constitution:
adopted 14 February 2002
Legal system:
based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969)
head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Jawad bin Salim al-ARAIDH
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve four-year terms)
elections: Council of Representatives - last held in two rounds on 23 and 30 October 2010 (next election to be held in 2014)
election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - al Wifaq (Shia) 18, al Asala (Sunni Salafi) 3, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17
Judicial branch:
High Civil Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders:
political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators
other: several small leftist and other groups are active
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM(observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC,OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Huda Azra Ibrahim NUNU
chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph Adam ERELI
embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama
mailing address: PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama
telephone: [973] 1724-2700
Flag description:
red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
note: until 2002 the flag had eight white points, but this was reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag
National anthem:
name: "Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain)
lyrics/music: unknown
note: adopted 1971; although Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics, they were changed in 2002 following the transformation of Bahrain from an emirate to a kingdom
Economy ::Bahrain
Economy - overview:
Bahrain is one of the most diversified economies in the Persian Gulf. Highly developed communication and transport facilities make Bahrain home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006, the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Bahrain's economy, however, continues to depend heavily on oil. Petroleum production and refining account for more than 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied industries). Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil - finance, and construction. Bahrain competes with Malaysia as a worldwide center for Islamic banking and continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. Unemployment, especially among the young, is a long-term economic problem Bahrain struggles to address. In 2009, to help lower unemployment among Bahraini nationals, Bahrain reduced sponsorship for expatriate workers, increasing the costs of employing foreign labor. The global financial crisis caused funding for many non-oil projects to dry up and resulted in slower economic growth for Bahrain. Other challenges facing Bahrain include the slow growth of government debt as a result of a large subsidy program, the financing of large government projects, and debt restructuring, such as the bailout of state-owned Gulf Air.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$29.82 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $28.7 billion (2009 est.)
$27.83 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$21.73 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 3.1% (2009 est.)
6.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$40,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $39,400 (2009 est.)
$38,700 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.5%
industry: 56.6%
services: 42.9% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
611,000 country comparison to the world: 154 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2010 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 79%
services: 20% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
26.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Public debt:
59.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 38.5% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 2.8% (2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$6.372 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 80 $5.74 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$21.02 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $18.93 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$18.46 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $16.34 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$16.93 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 60 $21.18 billion (31 December 2008)
$28.13 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish
Industries:
petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Electricity - production:
10.25 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Electricity - consumption:
10.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
48,560 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Oil - consumption:
39,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Oil - exports:
238,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Oil - imports:
228,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Oil - proved reserves:
124.6 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Natural gas - production:
12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Natural gas - consumption:
12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Natural gas - proved reserves:
92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Current account balance:
$589 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $560.2 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$15.13 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $12.05 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
Exports - partners:
India 4.2%, Saudi Arabia 2.78% (2009)
Imports:
$12.14 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $9.613 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
crude oil, machinery, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 22.91%, France 9.76%, US 7.95%, China 6.4%, South Korea 5.26%, Japan 5.19%, Germany 5.01%, UK 4.34% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.766 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $3.54 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$14.68 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $10.55 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$15.77 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $15 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$8.399 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $7.549 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2010), 0.376 (2009), 0.376 (2008), 0.376 (2007), 0.376 (2006)
Communications ::Bahrain
Telephones - main lines in use:
238,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 123
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.578 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 137
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system
domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones
international: country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1 (2007)
Broadcast media:
state-run broadcast media; Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 5 terrestrial TV networks; satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts; state-run BRTC broadcasts over several radio stations; 1 private FM station directs broadcasts to Indian listeners; radio and TV broadcasts from countries in the region are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.bh
Internet hosts:
53,944 (2010) country comparison to the world: 86
Internet users:
419,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 122
Transportation ::Bahrain
Airports:
4 (2010) country comparison to the world: 183
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 20 km; oil 32 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 3,851 km country comparison to the world: 158 paved: 3,121 km
unpaved: 730 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 7 country comparison to the world: 126 by type: bulk carrier 2, container 4, petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: 5 (Kuwait 5)
registered in other countries: 6 (Honduras 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Mina' Salman, Sitrah
Military ::Bahrain
Military branches:
Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense),Naval Force, Air Force, National Guard
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 208,365
females age 16-49: 174,375 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 170,633
females age 16-49: 146,243 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 6,590
female: 6,475 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 19
Transnational Issues ::Bahrain
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Bangladesh (South Asia)
Introduction ::Bangladesh
Background:
Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area of Bangladesh in the 16th century; eventually the British came to dominate the region and it became part of British India. In 1947, West Pakistan and East Bengal (both primarily Muslim) separated from India (largely Hindu) and jointly became the new country of Pakistan. East Bengal became East Pakistan in 1955, but the awkward arrangement of a two-part country with its territorial units separated by 1,600 km left the Bengalis marginalized and dissatisfied. East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan in 1971 and was renamed Bangladesh. A military-backed, emergency caretaker regime suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. In contrast to the strikes and violent street rallies that had marked Bangladeshi politics in previous years, the parliamentary elections finally held in late December 2008 were mostly peaceful and Sheikh HASINA Wajed was elected prime minister. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.
Geography ::Bangladesh
Location:
Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 143,998 sq km country comparison to the world: 94 land: 130,168 sq km
water: 13,830 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Iowa
Land boundaries:
total: 4,246 km
border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
Coastline:
580 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
Terrain:
mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, arable land, timber, coal
Land use:
arable land: 55.39%
permanent crops: 3.08%
other: 41.53% (2005)
Irrigated land:
47,250 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1,210.6 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 79.4 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%)
per capita: 560 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
droughts; cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season
Environment - current issues:
many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; waterborne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal
People ::Bangladesh
Population:
156,118,464 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34.6% (male 27,065,625/female 26,913,961)
15-64 years: 61.4% (male 45,222,182/female 50,537,052)
65 years and over: 4% (male 3,057,255/female 3,254,808) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.9 years
male: 22.4 years
female: 23.4 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.55% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Birth rate:
23.43 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Death rate:
5.81 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Net migration rate:
-2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Urbanization:
urban population: 27% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 52.54 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 48 male: 55.04 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 49.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.44 years country comparison to the world: 148 male: 67.64 years
female: 71.3 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.65 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
12,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations
water contact disease: leptospirosis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Bangladeshi(s)
adjective: Bangladeshi
Ethnic groups:
Bengali 98%, other 2% (includes tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims) (1998)
Religions:
Muslim 89.5%, Hindu 9.6%, other 0.9% (2004)
Languages:
Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 47.9%
male: 54%
female: 41.4% (2001 Census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 8 years
female: 8 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
2.4% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 163
Government ::Bangladesh
Country name:
conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh
conventional short form: Bangladesh
local long form: Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh
local short form:
former: East Bengal, East Pakistan
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Dhaka
geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 24 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
7 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet
Independence:
16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
National holiday:
Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
Constitution:
4 November 1972; effective 16 December 1972; suspended following coup of 24 March 1982; restored 10 November 1986; amended many times
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Zillur RAHMAN (since 12 February 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wajed (since 6 January 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last election held on 11 February 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: Zillur RAHMAN declared president-elect by the Election Commission on 11 February 2009 (sworn in on 12 February); he ran unopposed as president; percent of National Parliament vote - NA
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies; members serve five-year terms
elections: last held on 29 December 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - AL 49%, BNP 33.2%, JP 7%, JIB 4.6%, other 6.2%; seats by party - AL 230, BNP 30, JP 27, JIB 2, other 11
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president)
Political parties and leaders:
Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Bangladesh Communist Party orBCP [Manjurul A. KHAN]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [KhaledaZIA]; Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh or BDB [Badrudozza CHOWDHURY]; IslamiOikya Jote or IOJ [multiple leaders]; Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh orJIB [Matiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction)[Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [OliAHMED]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Advocacy to End Gender-based Violence through the MoWCA (Ministry ofWomen's and Children's Affairs)
other: environmentalists; Islamist groups; religious leaders; teachers; union leaders
International organization participation:
ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, FAO, G-77, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA,MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO,UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Akramul QADER
chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James F. MORIARTY
embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212
mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000
telephone: [880] (2) 885-5500
Flag description:
green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh
National anthem:
name: "Amar Shonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal)
lyrics/music: Rabindranath TAGORE
note: adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem
Economy ::Bangladesh
Economy - overview:
The economy has grown 5-6% per year since 1996 despite political instability, poor infrastructure, corruption, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and inefficiently-governed nation. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the service sector, 45% of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Bangladesh's growth was resilient during the 2008-09 global financial crisis and recession. Garment exports, totaling $12.3 billion in FY09 and remittances from overseas Bangladeshis totaling $9.7 billion in FY09 accounted for almost 25% of GDP.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$259.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $244.6 billion (2009 est.)
$231.4 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$105.4 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 5.7% (2009 est.)
6% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 $1,600 (2009 est.)
$1,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 18.4%
industry: 28.7%
services: 52.9% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
73.87 million country comparison to the world: 8 note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances estimated at $10.9 billion in 2009-10 (2010 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 45%
industry: 30%
services: 25% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
5.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 5.1% (2009 est.)
note: about 40% of the population is underemployed; many participants in the labor force work only a few hours a week, at low wages
Population below poverty line:
36.3% (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 8.8%
highest 10%: 26.6% (2008 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.2 (2005) country comparison to the world: 94 33.6 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
23.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Public debt:
39.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 39.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 5.4% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
5% (31 October 2010) country comparison to the world: 86 5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
14.6% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 16.38% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$13.98 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 67 $10.92 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$57.21 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $63.03 billion (31 December 2009)
Stock of domestic credit:
$62.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $53.77 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$7.068 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 74 $6.671 billion (31 December 2008)
$6.793 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry
Industries:
cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar
Industrial production growth rate:
6.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Electricity - production:
25.62 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Electricity - consumption:
23.94 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
5,733 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Oil - consumption:
96,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Oil - exports:
2,612 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Oil - imports:
87,660 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Oil - proved reserves:
28 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Natural gas - production:
19.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
Natural gas - consumption:
19.7 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Natural gas - proved reserves:
195.4 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Current account balance:
$3.734 billion (2010) country comparison to the world: 34 $2.416 billion (2009)
Exports:
$16.24 billion (2010) country comparison to the world: 73 $15.58 billion (2009)
Exports - commodities:
garments, frozen fish and seafood, jute and jute goods, leather
Exports - partners:
US 22.5%, Germany 14.2%, UK 9.6%, France 7%, Netherlands 6.4% (2009)
Imports:
$21.34 billion (2010) country comparison to the world: 68 $20.3 billion (2009)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement
Imports - partners:
China 16.16%, India 12.61%, Singapore 7.55%, Japan 4.63%, Malaysia 4.46% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$10.79 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $10.34 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$24.46 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $24.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$6.72 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $5.617 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$82 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $81 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
taka (BDT) per US dollar - 70.59 (2010), 69.039 (2009), 68.554 (2008), 69.893 (2007), 69.031 (2006)
Communications ::Bangladesh
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.522 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 63
Telephones - mobile cellular:
50.4 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 24
Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate for a modern country; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities
domestic: fixed-line teledensity remains only about 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and now exceeds 30 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 880; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 6; international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-owned broadcaster (BTV) operates 1 terrestrial TV station, 3 radio networks, and about 10 local stations; 8 private satellite TV stations and 3 private radio stations also broadcasting; foreign satellite TV stations are gaining audience share in the large cities; several international radio broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.bd
Internet hosts:
68,224 (2010) country comparison to the world: 81
Internet users:
617,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 112
Transportation ::Bangladesh
Airports:
17 (2010) country comparison to the world: 140
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 4 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 2,597 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 2,768 km country comparison to the world: 61 broad gauge: 946 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,822 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 239,226 km country comparison to the world: 21 paved: 22,726 km
unpaved: 216,500 km (2003)
Waterways:
8,370 km country comparison to the world: 17 note: includes up to 3,060 km main cargo routes; network reduced to 5,200 km in dry season (2007)
Merchant marine: